Co-founder

REVFIT TEXAS

Amy Aliz Simpson is a co-founder and executive at Fort Worth-based REVFIT TEXAS fitness studios, where she is responsible for HR, PR, and Corporate Culture. Her strong business skill set in strategy, marketing, operations, and relationship management was developed during her roles as a major gifts officer for the US Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation, Director of Development for Ceil Folz Consulting, Account Director at Interactive PR, and Executive Director for Teach with Africa. Recently, she joined the Advisory Boards of the TCU Frogs Club and the Neeley School of Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department.  

President

Lazzaro Medical

Dawn Bitz is a seasoned medtech executive with nearly 30 years of experience at Boston Scientific and Medtronic. She specializes in operational strategy, guiding pre-commercial companies through growth and commercialization. As a board member for startups, she leverages her expertise to shape strategy, optimize execution, and accelerate market success. With leadership experience across major corporations and emerging ventures, Dawn is a trusted advisor in the medical device industry.  

President

Patina Ventures

Jay Gardner (Patina Ventures LLC) has extensive experience in the technology industry that includes senior executive leadership roles and operating software companies, board and advisory board in both public and private equity owned organizations, leading acquisition and complex company integrations, and applying technology across all business application areas, cybersecurity, identity management, and data analytics. Additionally, he brings this expertise, extensive network, and passion for teaching, coaching, to mentoring people from all business backgrounds. 

Managing Director - M&A

Stifel Investment Banking

Jon is a Managing Director and Head of Financial Sponsor M&A in Stifel’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Jon has particular focus on middle market M&A transactions in the diversified industrials and services sectors. Throughout his 30+ year investment banking career, he has completed nearly 200 transactions representing more than $21 billion in consideration  

Former CEO & Chairman

ABC Medical

Keith Jones is a serial entrepreneur and former CEO and Chairman of ABC Medical, one of the largest medical supply providers in the US. He is a fierce advocate for inclusion and independence through sports and under his leadership, ABC Medical supported over 150 adaptive sports events annually, provided scholarships, and launched the ABC Medical Bridge Program. He serves on multiple boards, including Inner Circle Autism Network, Shuttle Health, and multiple university adapted athletics programs. A dedicated mentor and innovator, Keith has championed numerous entrepreneurship initiatives including a business plan competition at his alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College.  

Managing Director - Investments

UBS Financial Services

Financial services has been Linda’s career and passion since 1985. Linda is skilled at growing and protecting  client portfolios through asset allocation, risk and volatility management. Linda offers unique insight and expertise to  institutional clients, including pension plan fiduciaries, investment committees,  foundations, endowments and family offices. 

CEO

Gimmal

Entrepreneur, leader, solution provider for clients and creator of strong returns for investors. Deep experience building and managing world-class teams in cybersecurity, eDiscovery, IG and GRC. 5 successful exits as CEO/COO/CMO, including 4 acquisitions and 1 IPO. Specific expertise and strong worldwide reputation in the management of the information lifecycle by Global 1000 corporations.   Broad experience raising capital, building management teams, adding independent board members, sourcing strong OEM relationships, aggressively growing ARR and revenue, and achieving highly successful exits in eDiscovery, cybersecurity, IG, GRC and digital forensics.  

Chairman

Holthouse Foundation for Kids

Michael is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, joined, and invested in numerous high-tech companies. He founded Paranet, Inc., growing it to 27 offices, 1,600 employees, and $150M+ in revenue before selling to Sprint. Now, he focuses on early-stage tech investments through Holthouse Interests and philanthropy via The Holthouse Foundation for Kids. He serves on several nonprofit boards and founded Lemonade Day, a program teaching youth entrepreneurship. Michael is also active in organizations like YPO and Leadership Houston. His greatest joy is spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their children.  

Principal

Biegert Group, Inc.

Natasha Harris holds an international MBA from the University of Denver and began her career in new market entry strategy for U.S. companies expanding abroad. With extensive international experience across 4 continents, she specialized in global logistics and customs brokerage. Natasha later joined the Biegert Group where she focuses on market entry strategy, investment analysis, due diligence, deal negotiation, operation restructuring and legal evaluation. Biegert Group's ventures include a feedyard, cattle feeding company, truck leasing company, roof shingle manufacturer, and commercial real estate. Natasha thrives in diverse industries and values relationship-building. She is a founding family of Colorado Christian Academy, Chairman of Hope Haven Rwanda, and serves on ACE's Board of Directors. She and her husband, Matt, have three children and are dedicated to improving educational opportunities.

Partner

Hyperlink Ventures

Sarosh Adi, a partner at Hyperlink Ventures, brings expertise in venture capital, board governance, and family office management to support tech startups. With over 10 years of experience, he was previously a managing director at AFO, overseeing private equity, real estate, and VC investments. He also serves on the board of WorldLink US. Sarosh holds a BS in finance and entrepreneurship from TCU and is passionate about creating value, fostering collaboration, and driving growth for companies and communities.  

Partner

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

A veteran corporate attorney with more than 25 years of experience, David regularly counsels public and private companies and their boards of directors in connection with corporate governance, securities disclosure matters, securities offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. David routinely advises investment banking firms and serves as underwriters’ counsel in connection with various public and private securities offerings. David also devotes a significant amount of his practice representing financial institutions, and is experienced in advising community banks regarding capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and bank regulatory matters.  

President & Owner

M-Pak, Inc.

Debbie Cooley is the founder, owner, and president of M-PAK, Inc., a leading provider of industrial packaging and tactical gear. She launched M-PAK in 1999 from her garage, growing it into a multi-location company. Before M-PAK, Debbie spent nearly two decades in sales. A proud University of Texas alum, she serves on several boards, including Neeley School of Business, Women’s Policy Forum of Tarrant County, and Como Lionsheart. A third-generation Texan, she lives near Fort Worth with her animals. In her free time, she enjoys adventure travel and time with her grandchildren.  

President/CEO

Ca-Botics Fiber Systems

Giacomo (Jack) Conte is a serial entrepreneur who has founded over 10 companies across construction, technology, apparel, and alcohol industries. He is President and CEO of Ca-Botics Fiber Systems, a leader in advanced fiber cable installation. Previously, he spent 20+ years in sewer and waterline construction, founding Northwest Conduit Corporation and Environmental Pipeliners, which pioneered trenchless pipeline rehabilitation. He also co-founded CIPP Corporation, specializing in cured-in-place lining systems. Over his career, Conte has managed more than $300 million in construction contracts.  

Owner & President

Pathway Leasing

Matt Harris is the founder and president of Pathway Leasing LLC, a company dedicated to empowering independent contractors through affordable and sustainable lease structures. With a passion for small business success, he built Pathway to provide reliable, fuel-efficient equipment and value-added services that enhance profitability. Before launching Pathway in 2012, Matt spent a decade at American Truck Business Services, serving as VP of Sales. His commitment to entrepreneurship and economic opportunity is reflected in Pathway’s mission to help independent contractors build long-term financial stability.   

Portfolio Manager

 REDF

Alyshah Aziz is a Portfolio Manager at REDF, where she partners with mission-driven businesses to scale their impact and drive inclusive economic growth. She provides tailored technical assistance and strategic support to help social enterprises strengthen their business models and expand opportunities for workers facing barriers to employment. With experience in workforce development, economic mobility, and systems-level innovation, Alyshah has held roles as a director at Jobs for the Future (JFF) and a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting LLP. 

COO

The Brownstone Group

Doak Brown is the Chief Operating Officer of The Brownstone Group where he oversees legal, development, and finance matters. Previously, he was a shareholder at Campbell & Riggs, P.C. in Houston, specializing in transactional real estate law. As Brownstone’s longtime outside counsel, he played a key role in its real estate transactions. Doak earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. Licensed to practice in Texas since 1999, he is a member of the Texas State Bar’s real estate section.  

President & CEO

Mexcor International/ Morales Capital Group

Eduardo Morales, President and CEO of Mexcor International and Morales Capital Group, brings visionary leadership and entrepreneurial expertise to the alcohol beverage industry and beyond. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, he has expanded his family’s legacy into the U.S. market, building Mexcor into a leading Hispanic-owned importer and distributor. His strategic investments through Morales Capital Group span real estate, technology, renewable energy, and logistics. Eduardo is dedicated to philanthropy and education, actively supporting initiatives for underserved communities and serving on advisory boards. His business philosophy embraces bold thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. 

Owner & CEO

Cirrus Enterprises

Ron Cloud’s career spanned 15 years with Shell Oil Company and then 25 years, as owner and CEO of E.V. Roberts. EVR was a premier niche materials supplier to the aerospace, automotive, medical, sporting goods and specialty industrial markets. Ron successfully led the transition of the 80-year-old company through contemporary business approaches and technologies and built a top leadership team. The company grew with record revenues and profits year-over-year until sold to a private equity-backed competitor, Graco Supply (Texas) in 2019. GracoRoberts is now North America’s largest specialty chemical distributor to the aerospace markets; commercial, defense and space. 

CFO

Lendistry

Clark Wen has more than 15 years of experience in consumer finance and SMB lending, most recently serving as Managing Director at Crestline Investors where he made private credit and preferred equity investments through Crestline's opportunistic credit platform. In this role, he spearheaded Crestline's specialty finance strategy, investing over $800 million to support financing businesses in rapid growth cycles, dislocated markets, or underserved consumer segments. His experience before Crestline includes roles at Black Diamond Capital Management's Private Equity Team and EY's Corporate Finance Practice. Wen also served on the Board of Directors at Ironhorse Funding and Foxpoint. 

Founder

PhantomNeuro

Connor Glass is the Founder & CEO of Phantom Neuro which enables life-like control of robotic prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons for individuals with limb difference. Glass received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine followed by a research fellowship in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he studied surgical interventions for neuromuscular injury, and advanced prosthesis control. 

Managing Partner

Bowles Investment Group

Trey Bowles is a serial and multi-exited entrepreneur looking to build and invest in companies at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and AI